Orange woman gets year in jail on drug charges

GREENFIELD — An Orange woman involved in a drug raid that left her boyfriend dead was sentenced to a year in jail after pleading guilty in a prescription painkiller distribution charge.

Jessica Dennis-Ramirez, 25, pleaded guilty in Franklin County Superior Court Friday to charges of possession of a Class B substance (oxycodone) with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to violate drug laws. She was sentenced to two years in Berkshire County House of Correction, with half the sentence to be served, and the remaining year suspended while she is placed on 12 months’ probation. Dennis-Ramirez was given credit for 106 days served while awaiting trial.

The indictment against her stemmed from a July 3, 2013, raid at her home, 18 Mechanic St., Orange. Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Bucci outlined the facts of the case in court.

Asst. D.A: Facts of the case

Police with the Northwestern District Anti-Crime Task Force executed a no-knock warrant shortly before 5 a.m. that day. They announced their presence on the way up to the second-story apartment Dennis-Ramirez shared with her late boyfriend, Corey Navarette.

Police found Navarette, 23, lying on his bed with an assault rifle aimed at the doorway. After twice ordering him to drop the weapon, police with the state police Special Tactical Operations Team fired their own assault weapons.

Navarette later died at the hospital. Dennis-Ramirez was treated for a facial wound she received from bullet fragments.

While searching the home, police found a bag containing more than 100 pills of oxycodone, an addictive, opiate-based prescription painkiller, as well as $4,035 in cash.

An examination of Navarette’s cell phone showed numerous messages to and from a contact called “Queen,” to which Dennis-Ramirez’s picture was attached. Bucci said these messages established that Dennis-Ramirez was an active participant in Navarette’s illicit business.

The house had been known to police for some time.

On May 3, 2013, the task force executed an earlier warrant for the apartment. That time, the raid’s target was Dennis-Ramirez’s father, Kenneth Dennis. Police said they found heroin, scales and packaging material and five shotguns in the house.

Dennis was arrested on charges of heroin distribution (subsequent offense), possession of heroin with intent to distribute (subsequent offense), possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and five counts of being a level three armed career criminal in possession of a shotgun without an FID card.

Dennis, 46, is scheduled to appear in Franklin Superior Court March 12 in that case.

You can reach David Rainville at: drainville@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 279